Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Game 28 Preview: Bruins @ Washington OVECHKIN AND THE HERSHEY BEAR DEFENSE


(Luis M. Alvarez, AP Photo)
D
ec 10, 2008 7:00 PM ET

On TV: NESN
On Radio: WBZ
@ Washington Capitals (15-10-3)
Notes:
  • The Bruins have won their last 5 games.  They are 5-0-0 against the Southeast this year.
  • The Capitals have been unreal in their own building, going 10-1-1. The loss was to the Panthers and the shootout loss was to the Devils.  They're clicking at 27.1% on the powerplay at home.  Yikes.
  • The Bruins have worked their way up to having the 10th best PK overall this year. They started at 30th with an abysmal 70% kill ratio. The PP stays steady at 4th.
  • The Washington Capitals owner, Ted Leonsis, has a blog. I'd send him the 5 questions, but my guess is that he's pretty busy running his media empire and I really should have sent that days ago.
  • A lot of good guys on washington are hurt, namely their whole defense, last I checked.
  • After Stephane Yelle collided with Mark Shewchyk, Sobotka got called up to fill in. I like his energy, this isn't the worst thing that could happen.
  • The Caps are top-secret about their morning skate.  Johnson in net.
  • Manny in net. Sturm and Ward are out.  Yelle or Sobotka is a game-time decision.
  • Kessel has scored a point in the last 12 and a goal in the last 6. Unreal.  Krejci also has a point in the last 9 games.
  • The Spoked B looks at how well the Bruins are starting vs. the best 5 Bruins seasons since expansion.  The 29-30 Bruins scoff at playing against 6 teams.
  • The 2 Man Advantage's Scotty (I think) gives us a stream-of-consciousness report on Hockey.
  • Kathryn Tappen has now made the Julien/Belichick comparison.
  • Bruins fans think Brashear/Thornton is likely, Caps fans want Lucic/Brashear.  Except for one on Japer's Rink, who wants Ovechkin to run Lucic.  Whatever.  We've seen how the "enforcer wants to fight Lucic" story works out.
This picture should have a goal horn to go with it.
Other Previews:
  • Kynch's Korner: "After having a scare thrown into them by Tampa, no way they come out with anything less than max effort."
  • Here Comes the Bruins!: "the Bruins PK unit would be shaken up slightly against the conference's third-best PP unit... which could have a significant effect on the outcome of this important game." 
  • Stanley Cup of Chowder: "I have a confession to make: I have a soft spot for the Washington Capitals."  I just like OvieTime, myself.
  • Japer's Rink: "...the boys in red have more than a puncher's chance given how well they play at home, and the simple fact that they have Alex Ovechkin and Boston doesn't. Edge: Washington."
  • The Bear Cave: Looking back to Washington's last game on Sunday, the Capitals had a whopping total of nine players out of the lineup due to injury. That doesn't include Brian Pothier, who has been out indefinitely since the beginning of the season.
  • NESN First Shift:  "Expect Johnson to get the call against the Bruins."
  • bruins.nhl.com: Preview | GameDay | notes (pdf)
  • boston.com thumbnails.
Stats:

GO BRUINS!

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